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What looks to be a new set of Leafs forward lines could reduce Matt Stajan's profile.

After starting last week as Phil Kessel's centre, Stajan found himself on a line Saturday with Wayne Primeau and Colton Orr -- two fourth liners. That said, Stajan was on the ice when Primeau scored the game's opening goal and later assisted on one by Jeff Finger just as a Leafs penalty expired.

Wilson called the perceived demotion "a little bit" of a message to Stajan.

"He didn't play that well (Friday in Carolina), with a bunch of turnovers in the neutral zone," Wilson said.

WALLIN PROMOTED

Wilson moved Rickard Wallin, a scoring centre in Sweden, off the fourth unit and put him with former 20-goal men Lee Stempniak and Niklas Hagman.

John Mitchell, meanwhile, has earned a longer look between Kessel and Jason Blake.

Wilson went to Mitchell ahead of Stajan because he said he wanted to add speed and some muscle to the two undersized Americans.

"It's up to Mitchy to be consistent," Wilson said. "He struggles with that at times when you elevate him in the lineup. Hopefully, for the short term, we've found a centre for those two."